O'Connor and McClelland going to Taipei!

Daire O'Connor and Jason McClelland have both been selected in the Irish Squad for the World University Games in August, which will be hosted in Taipei on the island of Taiwan.

The World University Games are held biannually and are second only to the Olympic Games in terms of global multi-sports events. Team Ireland have a strong history in participating in football at the Games with the support of the Colleges & Universities Football League (CUFL) and Women's Soccer Colleges Association of Ireland (WSCAI).

Both the men's and women's teams will travel to the small island off the coast of China on August 11 before playing their first games on August 18 - Yelverton's men's squad will take on France, while Bell's women's squad will meet Mexico.

From the 40 players selected in both squads, 32 of them play in either the SSE Airtricity League or Continental Tyres Women's National League which demonstrates the quality that currently exists in domestic football in Ireland.

Speaking on the men's squad, head coach Yelverton remarked: "My staff and I firmly believe that the players we have are good enough to do us a job out there. We're delighted with the quality we have.

"There is a large representation from the SSE Airtricity League with the players in the squad. I'd like to thank the clubs and coaches for working with us to make the players available."

There is also excitement in the women's squad with head coach Bell (pictured above with Jetta Berrill) stating: "We've had several training sessions with the players and the standard has been really high, so there have been a few players unfortunate to miss out on the final squad.

"I'm really looking forward to working with these players throughout the tournament where we not only want to be successful but also help to develop these players for potential international squads in the future."

Speaking upon the announcement of both squads, Student Sport Ireland's Head of Delegation Neasa Fahy O'Donnell said: "We are very excited about the men's and women's squads to Taipei for the 2017 World University Games. I am delighted to lead Team Ireland and these young men and women who will represent their country with great honour and pride."